Left to right- Daniel Rodriguez, Ediberto Saldana, Isamaris Rivera, Crystal Badillo, Tony Pena, Amanda Alba, Carlos Velasquez, Debra Martinez and Nydia R. Edgcombe
 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 (Bronx, NY) - On June 25, Hostos Community College students Amanda Alba, Daniel Rodríguez, Isamaris Rivera, Ediberto Saldaña, and Crystal Badillo each received $1,000 scholarship awards at Yankee Stadium.

The students were recognized before the game on the field with Yankees coach Tony Peña. The awards were made possible thanks to a team effort from Manny Garcia, Esq., the Director of Community Affairs for the Yankees; Debra Martinez, Executive Director of the Diversity Foundation; and Carlos Velasquez, CEO of GALOS Corporation.

Amanda is studying liberal arts. She is also a small business entrepreneur who owns Amanda’s Dog Grooming Spa. Amanda is a hard-working student who volunteers in her spare time at the College’s food pantry. Once she graduates from Hostos, Amanda is planning to expand her dog grooming business.

Daniel recognizes the importance of having a well-rounded education and serving his community. He is married and has three daughters. Also a music lover, he uses his voice to lift the spirits of patients at area hospitals. After earning his associate’s degree in June, Danny is eager to earn his bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Isamaris was raised in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, and moved to New York in 2010. She became the first member of her family to graduate from college, earning her associate’s degree this year from Hostos. She serves as a youth leader in her community, while also working as a reporter for BronxNet Community Television. Isamaris plans to continue her studies at Lehman College.

Ediberto contributed enormously to Hostos through his participation in Student Government and the College Senate. He has been known as a strong and firm advocate for students’ rights, and he plans to establish a theater company to foster social justice. In September, Ediberto will begin his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in social work at Lehman College.

Crystal is studying criminal justice and she credits her family for giving her the strength and determination to continue her studies. She is also planning to transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice after she graduates from Hostos next year.

Nydia R. Edgecombe, Director of Alumni Relations at Hostos Community College, organized the special event.

About Hostos Community College:
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change, transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968.  Hostos serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, and a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.  The College’s unique "student success coach" program, which partners students with individualized guidance, is emblematic of the premier emphasis on student support and services.

Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and 5 certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture (HCAC) is one of the pre-eminent Latino arts centers of the northeast. The HCAC has distinguished itself for showcasing traditional art forms as well as emerging and internationally renowned artists. Hostos Community College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.

Media Contact: Soldanela Rivera - srlopez@hostos.cuny.edu
Rich Pietras – rpietras@hostos.cuny.edu Phone: 718-518-6872 or 917-627-9097 or 718-518-6513